Cover for receptacle opening

ABSTRACT

A cover for a can opening, the cover having a top, bottom and side wall that forms a cavity. The cavity receives the tab of a can so that when rotated about the axis point of the tab the cover fits the opening of the can. The cover optionally has a groove that fits around the axis point of the tab and additionally has a rubber elastic ridge that matingly receives the perimeter of the opening of the can. Also, the cover is arcuate in shape in order to match the arcuate shape of a tab.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a device for covering the opening of a receptacle. More specifically, this invention relates to a cover that is placed on the tab of a soda can to cover the opening of the can.

When performing outdoor activities, such as fishing, many times individuals will enjoy refreshments such as cans of soda. Unfortunately, when outdoors, once a soda can is opened, there is no way of ensuring that bugs or debris will not fly into the opening of the can. Thus, when performing an activity such as fishing wherein one's attention is drawn away from the can holding the soda, an individual may find an unpleasant object in their can. One way to prevent contaminates from flying into a receptacle is to place one's thumb or hand over the top of the container. However, this does not allow one to be active with their hands and participating in activities such as fishing.

Therefore, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a cover for a soda can opening.

These and other objects, features or advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the specification and claims.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A cover for placing over the top of a tab of a can has a top, bottom and a side wall that form a cavity for receiving the tab of a soda can. Thus, when the tab of the soda can is rotated, the cover fits over the opening of the soda can preventing contaminates from entering the opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a soda can and a tab cover; and

FIG. 2 is a plan bottom view of a soda can tab cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 shows a soda can, beer can, or the like 10 having a top 12, a bottom, 14 and a side wall 16. Rotatably connected to the top 12 is a tab 18. Tab 18 rotates about an axis point 20. The top 12 of the can 10 also has an access opening or mouth 22 adjacent the axis point 20.

A cover 24 has a top 26, bottom 28 and a side wall 30 that form a cavity 32 with an opening 33. The cavity 32 is of size and shape to receive tab 18 such that the bottom 28 of cover 24 will be disposed between the tab 18 and the top 12 of the can 10.

In a preferred embodiment the cover 24 has a notch 34 (FIG. 2) that allows the axis point 20 to be a center pivot point in which the cover 24 is rotated to seal the opening 22. In an alternate embodiment the inner surface of the bottom 28 of cover 24 also has a rubber or elastic ridge 36 around its perimeter that matingly engages the tab 18 of the can 10. Additionally, in a preferred embodiment the side wall 30 of cover 24 is arcuate to mate with an arcuate tab 18. Thus, when an individual opens a can 10 the cover 24 is placed on the tab 18 and rotated about axis point 20 so that the cover 30 is placed over the opening 22 to prevent debris or bugs from flying into the can 10. For at least this reason all of the stated objectives have been met.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other various modifications could be made to the device without the parting from the spirit in scope of this invention. All such modifications and changes fall within the scope of the claims and are intended to be covered thereby. 

1. A cover for a can having a top with a rotatably mounted tab and an opening disposed therein, a bottom, and sidewalls comprising: a member having a top, bottom and sidewall that form a cavity having an opening; said cavity of size and shape to receive the tab of the can; and wherein the cover is of size and shape to cover the opening of the can.
 2. The cover of claim 1 wherein the sidewall of the resilient member is arcuate in shape.
 3. The cover of claim 1 wherein the resilient member has an elastic ridge surrounding a perimeter of the inner surface of the bottom. 